Got booted from school because of C grade...what to do?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Hello. I am not sure what to do. My dad was diagnosed w/pancreatic cancer at the beginning of my med-surg. semester. I was in the hopsital 5-6 times w/him during the semester, which is only 10 weeks. I got a C- in my class, and u need a B- to pass. I was booted from the program. I applied for the fall, and I was not called back due to limited seating.

I am a buyout from Ford Motor Company. Ford says unless I take nursing classes, they will drop me from the program. I can't get into another school at this late of a date. My sister called the accreditation for my college, and they said it was unfair that I am not back, and I have to do a grievance to get back in this semester because I had a valid excuse as to why I did not pass.

I want so much for my dad to see me graduate before he passes.

Should I do this? I'm afraid of burning bridges and ******* people off so that I don't get back in if this doesn't all work out. What would you do?

I doubt that there will be room for you in the future, so I don't see why you wouldn't exhaust every means to get back. Couldn't you schedule a discussion with the Dean and state your case? They should have advised you to take a leave of absence rather than risk failure. Surely your instructors knew what was going on with you. At times like this, it is hard for the individual in the middle of everything to see things from a clear perspective and take appropriate action. I hope you can resolve this to your favor.

They should have advised you to take a leave of absence rather than risk failure. Surely your instructors knew what was going on with you.

An instructor did tell me to leave, but the director of nursing said she wouldn't even think of readmission for someone who decided to quit 1/2 way thru the semester, so I stayed. I have called the Dean but no one is in today...

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Firstly, I hope your father sees your goal of becoming a nurse realized.

So, I assume the minimum percentage to pass classes in your nursing program is about 80 percent. Did you score in the 70s? If so, rules are rules, and schools of nursing are notorious for not bending the rules.

The school would not be dropping you from the program unless you scored below their mandated cutoff point, which is a B-.

My former classmate was dropped from our nursing program for scoring a 76.4% in our OB/maternal health class. Everyone needed a 77% to pass this class, and she missed the mark by a fraction of a percent. Her personal life was riddled with issues such as a cheating husband, a pending divorce, and financial problems. The school's director knew about her issues, but still took the hard line.

- I do not think the poster is arguing that she was wrongfully dismissed but rather that she wants the opportunity to be readmitted to the program.

- I personally do not think you should be worried about making anyone mad. You need to consider that if you do not file a grievance you are with 100% certainty not going to be in the program. If you do file one, there is a chance.

Firstly, I hope your father sees your goal of becoming a nurse realized.

So, I assume the minimum percentage to pass classes in your nursing program is about 80 percent. Did you score in the 70s? If so, rules are rules, and schools of nursing are notorious for not bending the rules.

The school would not be dropping you from the program unless you scored below their mandated cutoff point, which is a B-.

My former classmate was dropped from our nursing program for scoring a 76.4% in our OB/maternal health class. Everyone needed a 77% to pass this class, and she missed the mark by a fraction of a percent. Her personal life was riddled with issues such as a cheating husband, a pending divorce, and financial problems. The school's director knew about her issues, but still took the hard line.

An instructor did tell me to leave, but the director of nursing said she wouldn't even think of readmission for someone who decided to quit 1/2 way thru the semester, so I stayed. I have called the Dean but no one is in today...

Well, I believe you have your case. I definitely would follow up on this. That was not a threat that was made lightly.

Specializes in Community Health.

I have no advice to give but I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what you are going through and you are in my thoughts...I'm sure your dad is already very proud of you but I hope that things work out so that he can see you graduate, I can understand why that would be important for you.

Whether or not you met your schools "standard" a C is a passing grade, and the fact that you even pulled that off with everything you must have been going through at the time says a lot about your character and the school should take that into consideration when making their decision.

Firstly, I hope your father sees your goal of becoming a nurse realized.

So, I assume the minimum percentage to pass classes in your nursing program is about 80 percent. Did you score in the 70s? If so, rules are rules, and schools of nursing are notorious for not bending the rules.

The school would not be dropping you from the program unless you scored below their mandated cutoff point, which is a B-.

I am not saying I didn't deserve to be cut. I did not make the B-. Still, I wish they would consider me for re-entrance this semester. My home is on the line, my funding from Ford, and I really want my dad to see me graduate before he dies. I know it would be asking a favor of the school.

*Hugs* I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I would try one more time to talk to the school directly, and then I would consider filing a grievance.

First of all, I am terribly sorry to hear about what you are going through. I've been through a similar situation so I know how hard it is.

Secondly, I would exhaust all options. You have an extremely valid reason for you work dropping off, and I think they might understand. I would do as hiddencat said, talk to the school one more time and then file a grievance. Life happens, hopefully they should understand that.

I wish you the best of luck!

i went through this with my college - (only not for ns school - but for regular classes.) i had to go to the dean of the school and provide documented proof from the hospital of where i was. (my father had prostate cancer and was in the hospital constantly with sepsis. :() they accepted it and allowed me to re-take exams that i missed. this was in 2007 - i then dropped out of college to take care of my dad until 2008.

by the way- i wanted to tell you i know how you feel. it is so scary and heartbreaking to imagine your parent not there when you accomplish your dreams. :scrying: when my father passed away - it was terrible... :bluecry1:even though i had known for years the day would come - i never truly understood the pain it would bring me until i experienced it. i think one of the hardest parts for me was realizing that my dad would not see me graduate - heck he wasnt even going to know that i was going to go into the nursing program. i re-evaluated my life and decided it was time to go back to school... i did to - i remember when i graduated from the cna program - how i just felt like weeping because my dad wasnt there. when i received my acceptance letter into the lpn program it was the same thing.... it hurt

so let me give you some advice

tell your dad you love him every single time you see him, give him hugs and kisses too :heartbeat

tell your dad about your goals - talk to him... tell him that you are shooting for the stars and that you will make it :D

try to cherish the moments with him - and all of your family. life is so precious - that you never know when someone might return home to the lord. :saint:

i really wish my dad would have left letters behind for me or something... if i could do things over again - i would have bought my dad one of those dad journals - so he can write about his life and his thoughts. i really really wish i had something like that - to reflect on.... :(

one more bit of advice- i dont know your dads condition or how advanced his cancer is, but consider the worst when trying to get back into the program. the last thing you want is to be half way through and well - lose him.... its hard enough being in the program to begin with. so consider the worst and plan around that - if you know you can do it, even if you lose him - go for it - dont worry about what they might think or that you are stepping on their toes- you have a legitimate cause for not passing a class- the least they can do - is accept you and have you pick up where you left off with the next round of lpns.

i know this message was a debby downer - but i just wanted to share - as someone who has recently lost their dad, and has been in your shoes. keep your head! your dad must be one awesome guy to have raised you to be so compassionate and caring! hugs to you!

candace

send me a message if you ever want to talk! :typing

File the grievance. You have nothing to lose if you file it but you risk everything if you don't file it. By the way, what percentage do they consider a c and what was the min. passing percentage?

+ Add a Comment